Resources

Topic: Mercy Trumps Polarization

Our world is often confused by what true mercy looks like. Pope Francis calls us to a culture of encounter, to recognize the dignity in the person in front of us. This encounter leads us to act on their behalf by serving others through works of mercy. Christ has called us to go and make disciples of all nations and, in a special way, to give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and bury the dead. In so doing, our hearts change and we learn to be merciful as the Heavenly Father is merciful.

Topic: A World Without Abortion

It takes far more to build a culture that welcomes and respects every human life than just talking about it or creating laws. To truly create a world where every person is loved, each individual has to do his or her share to spread kindness, mercy and an authentic understanding of being part of the human family. Only then will abortion and other attacks on human life end.

Topic: Solutions to Crime and Conflict

The prison system in America is characterized by its emphasis on punishment and retribution. But the Church rightly recognizes that mere punishment is not justice. In particular, long unfair sentences, solitary confinement, and the death penalty can be used in vengeful ways rather than helping the offender to correct the wrong done. Restorative justice emphasizes repentance, repairing the harm done. It allows for victims and families to forgive the offender and allows the offender to seek that forgiveness.

Topic: Salvaging a Throw-Away Culture

Poverty is a fraught concept, made even more difficult living in California with skyrocketing housing prices and a monumental homeless crisis. Catholic moral doctrine calls us to have a preferential option for the poor, which includes the need to improve a person’s entire well-being, including socio-economic, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Pope Francis has called us to go out with the joy of the Gospel, to encounter people where they are. Like Mother Teresa, we are called to serve the poor by looking people in the eye, respecting their dignity, and getting our hands dirty by engaging in works of mercy.

Union Rescue Mission – One of the largest rescue missions of our kind in the United States, and the oldest in Los Angeles. They provide services for the homeless and offer many volunteer opportunities.

Topic: Made in God’s Likeness

God makes each person special—a unique creation whom He planned from the beginning of time. God does not make mistakes. He made everyone perfect! In our world, it is so important that we learn to respect the dignity of the human person, no matter our differences. Unfortunately, people with disabilities experience a great amount of discrimination, including bullying, persecution, and are often targeted for abortion or assisted suicide. If we cannot recognize their dignity, then we need to change our perspective and recognize the incredible lives of those around us. God has a special plan for every single person, no matter what our abilities.

Le Arche International communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together as peers.

Topic: Combatting Racism

Whatever the cause, Christians in a particular way are called upon to combat racism in every form and work toward harmony among peoples. Why Christians? Because we have the opportunity to not only join in the temporal (earthly) work of overcoming racism, but we also know that economic and social policy can only go so far. What is truly needed is a conversion of hearts and minds to the truth that all people are created in equal dignity by a loving Father, and that we are all brothers and sisters in Him.

DISCLAIMER: The resources on this page are intended for use by teachers and parents as supplemental materials for each of the topics presented in Respect Life Week. Please keep in mind that not all resources originate from Catholic sources and not all convey the fullness of Catholic Social Teaching on the topic. Resources from secular sources provide context for the way each topic is approached in our modern cultural reality and are meant to be understood in that context.